Fire-escape



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (No Model.)

J. H. GLASSGOCK.

FIR-E ESCAPE.

No; 378,882 Patented Mar. 6', 1888.

q htmowo N. PETERS, Phulo-Limcgnpher, Washingmm D. C,

' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

( No Model.)-

J. H. GLASSCOGK.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Mar. 6, 1888.

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UNITED STATES JAMES H. GLASSOOCK,

PATENT Orrica.

OF SHERMAN, TEXAS.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,882, dated March 6, 1888.

Application filed November 28, 1887. Serial No. 256.353. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMEsH. GLASSOOOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sherman, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements .in Fire-Escapes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention is an improved fire-escape, the novelty of which resides in the construction,;

arrangement, and adaptation of the parts comprising the same, as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is the provision of a fire-escape which will be capable of lowering people or goods from a high structure with perfect ease and comfort, and without danger of breaking.

A further objectis to provide a fireescape which will be very simple and durable of construction, thoroughly efficient in operation, and cheap to manufacture.

In order that the construction, operation, and advantages of my invention may be fully understood and appreciated, I have illustrated a fireescape constructed in accordance with and embodying my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the fire-escape in its proper position in a structure, the cage or basket being represented below the window, so that a person may occupy it when necessary. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the escape. Fig. 3 is a modified form of the same, in which a series of pulleys are employed, and a small cylinder with a piston working therein attached to a bar also carrying pulleys is used. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cage or basket. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the valve carried by the plunger, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the plunger with the valve arranged in its normal position therein.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters designate corresponding parts in all the figures thereof, A designates a building or structure in connection with which my improved fire-escape is used.

B designates the cylinder or barrel of the escape, which is made of metal or other suitable material, and is open at the top. This cylinder or barrel is filled with water or other liquid to assist in the operation of the escape.

G designates the plunger fitting in the cylinder or barrel, and provided with annular grooves to receive packing-rings or for waterpacking. This plunger is made of metal, and is hollow or cup-shaped, the upper end being closed and provided with an opening, a, in the center of the said closed end.

D designates the valve carried by the plunger for controlling the ascent and descent of the plunger. This valve comprises the leather or flexible strip d, secured at one end to the plunger by means of a screw or like device,

and having its other end free. The said leatherstrip .is provided with an aperture or opening, d, above the opening in the plunger.

d designates a metal plate secured at one end to the leather strip and provided with the hollow conical projection or conical cup (1 which projects from the under side of the metal plate and into the opening of the plunger. This plate is further provided on its upper side with a projection or lug, d.

d" designates a spring-plate secured at one end to the metal plate, and the springeplate is provided near its outer end with a conical plug, d, adapted to enter the conical cup of the metal plate. From this construction of the valve it will be observed that the leather or flexible strip is free to move at one end and will raise the metal plate and spring-plate entirely out of the way of the opening as the plunger descends, as the water will rush through the opening in the plunger and raise the valve entire, and as the plunger ascends the water or other liquid will be permitted to pass in through the space made by the spring and plate and out through the conical cup; or, in other words, as the plunger ascends the spring-plate rests on the lug formed on the plate to which it is attached, which leaves a small opening through which the liquid will slowly pass out through the conical cup into the cylinder below the plunger.

IOO

The plunger is provided on its upper portion with a bail, E, which may be secured thereto or formed integral therewith, and to this bail is connected one end of a rope or chain, F. This rope or chain passes upwardly from the plunger over a pulley, G, journaled in a suitable frame, H, or in the building, and.

the other end of this rope or chain is connected to a cage or basket, I, outside of the building. This basket or cage is preferably made of woven wire or wire-cloth, and is open at its inner side to allow easy access thereto. The basket or cage is also preferably placed below or near a window, where it may be used with ease and convenience.

In the modified form of my invention I employ a shorter cylinder with a plunger moving therein carrying a rod, J. The end of the cylinder is closed and the rod J fits snugly in an opening in the closed end of the cylinder. The rod J has attached to its outer end a cross piece or bar, J, having pulleys or rollers j thereon, over which passes a rope or chain, and the said rope or chain passes over pulleys 70 on a bar or strip, K, attached rigidly to the wall or other part of a structure. The end of the rope or chain to which the basket is attached is arranged on the outside of the structnre.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of my invention will be readily understood, but may be briefly stated as follows: The person or object to be lowered occupies the basket or cage. The weight of the person or other object causes the plunger to ascend, the water or liquid passing through the opening in the plunger being controlled by the valve, so that the plunger cannot ascend too rapidly and cause the basket which descends to move or fall too rapidly, and after the basket has reached the ground the object or weight is removed from the basket and the plunger de' scends, the water passing through the opening therein, carrying the basket up to its original or normal position. The valve operates so as to control the speed of ascent and descent of the plunger, as will be understood.

In the modified form the cross-piece moves vertically, causing the basket to ascend and descend as desired.

I claim- 1. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the cylinder having its upper end open,of the hollow piston working in said cylinder, having an opening and valve arranged above said opening, said valve partially closing the opening when the piston ascends and entirely uncovering the opening'when the piston descends, whereby the ascent and descent of the piston are controlled by the valve, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the cylinder having its upper end open, and pulley arranged above said end,of the hollow piston having an opening and working in said cylinder, a valve carried by the piston,whicl1 partially closes the opening when the piston ascends and uncovers the opening when the piston descends, the piston also having one end of a rope attached to it, which passes over the pulley, and at its other end is secured to a cage or basket, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the plungerhaving the central opening therein, of the valve attached thereto and comprising the leather or flexible strip, the metal plate having the conical cup and the extension or lug, and the spring-plate having the conical plug, all combined and adapted to operate for the purpose set forth, substantially as described.

4. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the cylinder having its end closed,ofa plunger moving in said cylinder having a rod attached thereto carrying a cross-piece, pulleys on said cross-piece, afixed bar havingpulleys thereon, and a rope or chain passing over the pulleys on the cross-piece and fixed bar and carrying the basket, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. GLASSCOOK.

Witnesses:

R. E. SMITH, ALLIsoN MAYFIELD. 

